Yuenyeung
Yuenyeung (Chinese: 鴛鴦, often transliterated according to the Cantonese language pronunciation yuenyeung,[3] yinyeung, or yinyong[4]), yuanyang (in Mandarin), coffee with tea, also commonly known as cofftea in Malaysia (from the Hokkien cham, "mix")[5] is a popular beverage in Hong Kong. Made from a mixture of three parts coffee and seven parts Hong Kong-style milk tea, it can be served hot or cold.[6]
![]() Iced yuenyeung at a cha chaan teng in Hong Kong (2007) | |
| Course | Drink |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Hong Kong[1][2] |
| Serving temperature | Hot or iced |
| Main ingredients | Brewed coffee, Hong Kong-style milk tea (black tea, evaporated or condensed milk), sugar |
| Variations | Malaysian Kopi Cham |
| Yuenyeung | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 鴛鴦 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 鸳鸯 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hanyu Pinyin | Yuānyāng | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cantonese Yale | Yūnyēung | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
It was originally served at dai pai dongs (open air food vendors) and cha chaan tengs (café), but is now available in various types of restaurants.[7][8]
Etymology
The name yuenyeung, which refers to mandarin ducks (yuanyang), is a symbol of conjugal love in Chinese culture, as the birds usually appear in pairs and the male and female look very different.[9] This same connotation of a "pair" of two unlike items is used to name this drink.[6]
Origin

A Hong Kong dai pai dong-style restaurant called Lan Fong Yuen (蘭芳園)[10] claims both yuenyeung and silk-stocking milk tea were invented in 1952[11] by its owner, a Mr. Lam. Its claim for the former is unverified, but that for the latter is on the record in the official minutes of a LegCo council meeting plausibility.
Adoption
During the summer of 2010, Starbucks stores in Hong Kong and Macau promoted a frappuccino version of the drink.[12] It was sold as the "Yuen Yeung Frappuccino Blended Cream".[13]
Children's yuenyeung
There is a caffeine-free variant of yuenyueng, called children's yuenyeung (兒童鴛鴦). It is made of Horlicks and Ovaltine, both of which are common in cha chaan tengs in Hong Kong.[14]
References
- "Yuenyeung Coffee with Tea". The University of Hong Kong. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- Tam, Arthur (12 August 2019). "Coffee or tea? Order a yuen yeung – the off-menu, half-half hybrid served at cafes across Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- Richard R. Wertz: Cultural Heritage of China - Food & Drink - Tea - Tea Cultures
- Sparklette Food & Travel Blog: Hong Kong Kim Gary Restaurant - Toast of Hong Kong. April 17, 2007
- "Teh & Kopi". July 23, 2007.
- ""Yuanyang" exhibition showcases the contemporary ceramic art" (Press release). HKSAR Leisure and Cultural Services Department. 2003-02-11. Archived from the original on 2007-02-24. Retrieved 2007-01-12.
- "What is Yuen Yeung, Coffee & Milk Tea?". Coffeelnformer. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- "Cha Chaan Teng: Our Hong Kong–Style Tea Restaurant". City University of Hong Kong. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- "教育部國語辭典:鴛鴦". Ministry of Education, Taiwan. Archived from the original on 2005-05-01. Retrieved 2007-01-14.
- "Lan Fong Yuen (Central)". OpenRice Hong Kong.
- "Brand Story_LAN Fong Yuen milk tea". www.hklanfongyuen.com.
- Michael Taylor (8 October 2010). "Starbucks Takes on Hong Kong Tastes (Part 2)". accidentaltravelwriter.net. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
- Starbucks Hong Kong: "Escape This Summer With a Taste of Home" September 16, 2010
- Lew, Josh. "Coffee or tea? With this drink, you get both". mnn.com. Narrative Content Group. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
External links
Media related to Yuenyeung (drink) at Wikimedia Commons
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